Bhubaneswar: With incessant rainfall pounding Odisha’s northern districts, particularly Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, major rivers in the region have begun to swell, prompting flood alerts and emergency preparedness across vulnerable areas.
The Water Resources Department has issued a flood bulletin at 1.00 PM on Saturday, warning of rising water levels in the Subarnarekha, Jalaka, and Baitarani rivers.
The situation is particularly critical in the Baitarani River, where water at Anandpur has already surged to 38.82 meters, breaching the danger mark of 38.36 meters, and continues to rise. At Akhuapada, although the current level of 17.98 meters is still below the danger level of 18.33 meters, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has projected a further rise to 18.65 meters by 10 PM tonight.
In Balasore district, the Jalaka River is also flowing above the danger level. At Mathani, the river is steady at 7.20 meters, surpassing the danger mark of 6.50 meters, adding to the apprehensions of flash floods in nearby low-lying areas.
The Subarnarekha River too is showing worrying signs. At Jamsola Ghat, the water level has touched 47.92 meters, inching toward the danger level of 49.16 meters. At Rajghat, the river is currently at 7.26 meters but rising rapidly, with the threat level pegged at 10.36 meters.
Forecasts suggest a peak flood flow by 10 AM on July 27, when water levels could climb up to 11.7 meters.
In response, the State Flood Control Room under the Water Resources Department is working round the clock, closely tracking real-time river data and coordinating emergency response.
District administrations in Jajpur, Bhadrak, and Balasore have been placed on high alert. Collectors have been instructed to initiate evacuation of vulnerable populations from low-lying pockets and ensure that relief measures are activated swiftly.
To bolster field-level monitoring and mitigation efforts, two senior engineers from the department have been dispatched from Bhubaneswar to oversee flood management in the Subarnarekha and Baitarani basins.
Additionally, basin managers and chief engineers from the Subarnarekha-Budhabalanga, Mahanadi-Brahmani-Baitarani, and Baitarani systems are coordinating with local officials to ensure timely interventions.
Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone zones to remain vigilant, follow official advisories, and cooperate with evacuation and relief teams as the state braces for a potential flood situation over the next 24 hours.
